Taiwan’s continued success in controlling Covid-19 is a reminder that New Zealand’s ‘travel bubble’ plans should not be restricted to Australia and the Pacific, a number of trade sources point out.

Paul Dymond, managing director of Wendy Wu Tours in New Zealand says the Taiwanese seem to have successfully managed Covid-19 and should soon be in a position to open borders with

It may be in its fiftieth year but the Australian Open is still serving up opportunities for travel agents.
The open, and some of its silverware, was in Auckland this week and hosted the trade to a preview of what to expect at the event’s golden anniversary. Not only are there more seating options but the iconic Melbourne sports event has become more than tennis.

Sarah Hunter has been appointed general manager, GO Holidays in New Zealand. Hunter recently returned to New Zealand after nearly seven years in the UAE where she completed her MBA with Strathclyde University, before taking up a senior leadership role within dnata’s B2C Middle East and India travel business.

Reporting to head of wholesale & inbound, Cinzia Burnes, Hunter will be charged with maximising GO Holiday’s B2B relationships to position them as the wholesaler of choice for New Zealand’s retail travel industry. For Hunter, there will be a ring of familiarity to the role, having previously headed up GO Holidays and worked with the business through the mid 90’s up until 2010. Hunter says however that this is ‘very much a new chapter, as opposed to a return.’ Hunter will commence her new role on 16 July based in the Auckland offices.

With Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) gearing up for it’s annual TOK TOK to be held in August this year, agents have been getting a taste of what’s to come through the 2018 Vanuatu Roadshows that have been held throughout Australia and New Zealand last month.

• Celebrating the 80s…David Coombes, Flight... Celebrating the 80s…David Coombes, Flight...
• Between sessions (and lunch) on... Between sessions (and lunch) on...
• Ross Altoft, KiwiHoliday Insurance; Sarah... Ross Altoft, KiwiHoliday Insurance; Sarah...
• Showing some 80s attitude… James... Showing some 80s attitude… James...
• When the Chips are down... When the Chips are down...
• During the information sessions on... During the information sessions on...
• Xena Jones, Solo Women Travel... Xena Jones, Solo Women Travel...
• Slash, aka Kelly Tawhai, GO... Slash, aka Kelly Tawhai, GO...
• So was Dame Edna Everage…... So was Dame Edna Everage…...
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Stage and niche supplier presentations, and another 20 suppliers in sessions for a ‘speed dating’ type format around a wing of the Trinity Wharf Hotel in Tauranga all added up to a busy two and a half days for attendees at the Travel Managers Group Conference.